Three months ago I entered the Kent Wildlife Trusts gardening for wildlife award scheme. The trust is a charity that started in 1958. They are at the heart of conservation in Kent. Joanna Lumley is its patron.
I decided to enter the Gold Scheme. My garden had to comply with 16 categories, e.g. Log piles for insectsTuesday evening I got a phone call..... "Kent Wildlife Trust here, could I come and see your garden."
It was arranged for 2.30 on Friday. I was really nervous, would the habitat be up to standard, had I done everything correctly. A lady named Judy arrived, I must say an extremely nice one. Very well spoken with a pleasant manner. We walked and talked garden. I was questioned in detail about wildlife and how I look after their habitat. We had tea and after two hours Judy left. She will now write a report to send to the Trust. The final decision will be made in the autumn. Many gardeners will enter this scheme, with the hope of getting the approval of a much respected charity. Wildlife gardening never stops, it is hard and satisfying work. I don't know if I will get an award but I was honoured that the trust felt my garden was worth a look. Its good to follow dreams as we get older....time is not on our side.....I have so many things I have and want to do.....I have had butterflies in my tummy since the phone call and have felt like a child in many ways. This is good, is it not? Who knows where this may lead......you will gather, I never stop dreaming. Keep you posted fellow bloggers................
27 comments:
Oh my Gosh Cheryl. Surely you will get the award. Your garden is not only great for the wildlife but it is beautiful too. I will keep my fingers crossed for you. Best of luck.
well done!!! as yuo say, the fact that yuor garden was viewed is wonderful in itself! keeping fingers and toes as well crossed for you!!
Leanne x
Thank you Lisa and Leanne...I am really not sure how I will do but your support means a great deal to me, thank you.
If you dont get awarded Cheryl, there is no justice in the world. I love your photographs cos they are all so lovely, but to see your garden for real must be fantastic. Fingers crossed and good luck xxx
Cheryl, How exciting! I thought your special visitor would be someone like this or else the Queen:)
I do hope you win the award and can't wait till autumn to find out.
But whether you win or not, this was quite an honor in itself to be considered. You deserve the award for all your hard work and compassion for all the wildlife. Good luck!
Hi Cheryl,
I think it's wonderful that you've entered the wildlife award contest and put the work into compiling your book. That you received a visit says much about your garden. These are the things that keep us young in spirit - my fingers are crossed for you!!
Rose, Dawny and Kate....thank you all for the good wishes.....
I have just found your beautiful blog and wish you good luck :-)
Dear Cheryl,
You are right to dream and work and rest in the arms of Apple trees. Your restoration of the land is important. I do understand the joy and the butterflies of sharing your habitat with the Trust.
It will be a great honour to receive the award. (Positive thinking in action!) Already you have received the joy from the birds and bees and bugs and critters that have found a safe place to call home.
The work of putting your book together and alowing the Trust to come and see is huge! I think having this award is wonderful for your area. Much awareness. Your area will be a wildlife haven.
I am very excited for you. Lots of work that continues. Lots of joy and rewards.
We will wait and see...
If you win all sorts of people will want to come and visit. Hope they wear their gardening gloves.
Thank you for sharing this with all of us.
It is very exciting.
Sherry
Hi Sherry...tku for the lovely comments. Our love of wildlife and all that frequents our gardens is important to us both. We understand each other and the depth of feeling we have for the little creatures.
I look forward to our Safari tomorrow and have my hat to hand....not as grand as yours but a hat.
Thank you cherrypie and welcome...glad you enjoyed it.
Cheryl, I am so proud of you! The work you have put into your Sanctuary is so evident in each and everyone of your posts. And the love you have for all of nature is every bit as apparent as well. Award...you have your reward already any time you see a bird or a rabbit or the precious bees come to your gardens. They know they will be feed and cared for there.
Your continued efforts to make us and others aware of the importance of helping and providing for nature will not go unnoticed.
I can not imagine the work that went into preparing your entry. That in it's self was quite an accomplishment-something for you to be very proud of. Your guest should have been very impressed!
I wish you the very best, and will keep you in my thoughts.
Hi Cheryl, good luck and I hope you get it. It sounds like a wonderful organization
Hi Beckie.....That means such a lot to me. You and I have always had a solid friendship since we started blogging....do you know I think that one day we may meet each other. I have these feelings sometimes.....who knows.
To know that my little bit of space is making a difference, no matter how small, gives me such encouragement. Thank you Beckie so very much.
Thank you Rusty,you are very kind.
Fingers crossed!
I do not activelly promote wildlife in my garden but I am sure that my pond , my field and woods are harbouring wildlife I am not aware of .I am 100 % sure that my garden is home to hundreds and hundreds of toads and frogs!!!And nepeta is always covered in bees!Well done for your efforts and you deserve to get an award!
wow! goodluck Cheryl...i hope all of your hard work pays off
That is so wonderful! Having an organization backing your wildlife garden sounds like a great opportunity to educate many more people about wildlife and how to work with it in the human landscape. I wish you the best.
Hi Zvrk......sounds like you should have an award for wildlife gardening.....what a wonderful place you must have there......
Thanks Steve.....
Hi Zhakee....a wonderful organisation indeed...and tku for the good wishes.
Oh My Cheryl...You go girl cos you are sooo deserving of this ...your garden and all that you share is beautiful..and so is you:)xxx
Fingers and toes and everything crossed for youxxx
What an honour! No wonder you were nervous. I would be too!
You have put so much hard work into your gardens and this project. And the rewards will be worth it. Not only for you, but for Mother Earth and her creatures.
Others have said it before, and I agree - you work is so important. A celebration of Life.
I am so happy for you - and I hope you win. But if not - you've already won - in the land and in your heart - and in sharing with us fellow-bloggers.
Blessed bee.
Dear Cheryl, I can't think of anyone more deserving of an award like this after all the love and care you put into creating a safe haven for wildlife.
Your garden is one of the specials I like to visit for a dose of England when I'm feeling nostalgic.
Tks Terrie....very much.
Thanks Wendy for your support....everyone has been so kind.
That means a lot Ladyluz.....thank you.
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